EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: January 17, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: John D. Le, City Attorney
BY: Valerie J. Armento, Special Counsel
SUBJECT: City Manager Appointment
Recommendation
Approve the appointment of Melvin E. Gaines to the position of City Manager and authorize the Mayor to execute the employment agreement.
Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 3: Increase Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Background
The City of East Palo Alto assigned recruitment responsibilities to Koff & Associates (now part of Gallagher) on May 3, 2022 to conduct a recruitment for the position of City Manager.
Following an exhaustive recruitment process, Mr. Melvin E. Gaines has been selected to serve as the next City Manager for East Palo Alto. Mr. Gaines has over 12 years of public sector experience including government service early in his career in the City of Detroit, and locally in the municipalities of East palo Alto and Mountain View. Most recently he has been the Assistant Town Manager for Portolla Valley.
Twenty-eight applications were received for this position and six were initially interviewed by the City Council. Three candidates were selected as finalist for review by three panels: a city manager panel, a community panel which include city employees/union representatives, and the City Council. Mr. Gaines emerged as the top individual. The employment agreement was negotiated following the satisfactory completion of a comprehensive reference, media, and background check.
The major terms of this agreement include a two-year employment term; an annual salary of $230,000 subject to increases outlined in the agreement; other city allowances and benefits as outlined in the agreement; and a severance provision for termination without cause.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact for filling position as it has already been budgeted.
Public Notice
The public was provided notice of this agenda item by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official bulletin board outside City Hall and making the agenda and report available at the City’s website and at the San Mateo County Library located at 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
Attachments
1. Resolution with Employment Agreement